Blogs from Banaue, Philippines, Asia - page 4

We have spent the last several days exploring the north of The Philippines. I have lost count of the sheer number of times we shook our heads in wonderment and exclaimed, "Wow! Gorgeous!" Probably at least 58 at last count! We began by visiting the town of Banaue in the north of the Philippines, self proclaimed to be one of the 8th wonders of the world. Well, I am pleased to say that this is one place that earned it! After two days of travel to get here, much of which was along spectacular mountainous roads, we arrived surprisingly on time at 4:30pm in Banaue town. We quickly checked into a basic but nice room and went to explore town while we still had some light. Everywhere you looked was a spectacular view of mountains and ... read more

Originally my next stop was the far North of the Philippines, to visit the former headhunter tribes of the Kaylinga province. But after speaking with several locals, I changed my mind. I had heard this area was a true wilderness, a remote mountain region which is rarely visited by tourists. A place where the tribes still live by traditional means, and you would see livestock running around everywhere and women wearing bones in their hair. But the first person I asked about the area said to me "don't go there". I enquired why, and he just shook his head and said again "just don't go there". He would not speak further on the matter. I spoke to several more local people. Some said that the tribes were friendly people, and I would not have a problem. ... read more

Banaue to Batad English/ tips for travelers: really worthwile to do a two day hike in this region. the rice terraces are beautifully located! nice view from the hotels on the fields. You can do it by yourself but we met people that got lost during the part of walking through the terraces. If you take the night bus from manilla, take your sleeping bag, it's really cold! Banaue en omgeving: Ten noorden van Manilla, in de provincie Luzon, is een prachtig ruraal gebied met eeuwenoude rijstterrassen. Deze worden al 2000 jaar lang gebruikt om rijst te verbouwen. Het irrigatiesysteem is nog altijd hetzelfde: via bamboepijpen. Sinds een aantal jaar staat het gebied op de werelderfgoedlijst. de families die de velden in bezit hebben, zijn verantwoordelijk voor het onderhoud. ze mogen de velden niet braak ... read more

Hola a todos! HAAAMMMMEEEERRRRR!!!!!!!! Einfach unbeschreiblich was ich die letzten Tagen erlebt und gesehen habe. Die Filipinos sind unglaublich gastfreundlich, ich wohne seit einer Woche bei Sally und bin Ehrengast. Mit Cindy, Sallys Nichte, und ihr Freund sind wir in Banaue und in Batad gewesen. Batad ist ein kleines Dorf auf 1500 m Hoehe den man nur zu Fuss erreicht (bin 2,5 Stunden bis dahin hochgewandert..echt hart!) Hier habe ich angefangen die Berge zu lieben.... Als ich die Terrassen sah war ich sprachlos, ich stand einfach da und konnte nicht glauben was ich sah, ich war geschockt. Dieser Menschenwerk ist unbeschreiblich schoen, perfekt, armonisch, einfach unglaublich. Aber ich kann alle adjektive nennen die ich kenne und ich werde nicht wierdergeben koennen wie ich an dem Moment empfunden habe, wie verzaubert ich war. Wir sind auch 2 ... read more

Sorting through my collections of digital photos dating way back, I came across those of a trip long forgotten. Our little trek to the Cordillera Mountains to see the infamous Banuae Rice Terraces. Of course, it was Rob who I dragged along for the trip… as always. It all started with just wanting to spend the weekend together. I don't quite remember why we went for such a rigorous trip but from the photos I have, the travel was worth the effort and time. Banaue is located in the Cordillera Mountains and is about 9 hours away from Manila. Since it is situated high up in the mountains, there is no other way to get there except by land. It's either you get there at the projected 9-hour travel or you'll arrive a few more hours ... read more